Who would the Flames have for a goalie should they move Kipper?

Kiprusoff, who’s currently nearing a return from a knee injury suffered Feb. 5, has one more season on his contract after this year before becoming an unrestricted free agent. The 36-year-old netminder no longer has a no-trade clause, and a trade could really kick start a rebuild for the floundering team, which is awfully close to 30th even with him in the fold.

The problem is knowing whether the Flames have a legitimate goalkeeper to take over between the pipes.

Hopes are high Karri Ramo will return to the NHL next season after four seasons in the KHL and be ready for such a task, but that’s something of a guess.

Ramo, who is Flames property but doesn’t have a NHL contract, wasn’t exactly a success story during parts of three seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning, compiling a 11-21-10 record with a 3.35 goals-against average and .895 save percentage, before heading to Russia.

But, should the Flames make the bold move of dealing Kiprusoff and not receive a proven goalie in return, Ramo, 26, appears their best option after very strong years in the KHL.